Friday night at NKU, Cooper and Notre Dame will play for the 9th Region Championship and the right to represent the region down at Rupp Arena in the Sweet 16.  

Since the bracket was drawn last Friday, this felt like the most likely match-up and here we are.  Cooper defeated Notre Dame 52-49 in Union earlier, but that game was played without Sophia Gibson.  

I'm going to go out on a bit of a limb and pick the PaNDAs to pull the mild upset over the three-time defending champs.  I'm taking NDA for three reasons (despite the fact I believe that Justin Holthaus is the best coach in NKY):  Cooper has no answer for Sophia Gibson, the ball pressure Megan McGraw and others can put on Noel for 32 minutes, and NDA's length on the wings making it harder to shoot over.  

Would I be shocked if Cooper wins the 4th in a row?  Obviously not.  But I will take Notre Dame 49-44 over Cooper.  

I’ll jump in and pick the PaNDAs because…I am a fan.  I hope I don’t jinx these girls.  

I do think NDA will put a little more pressure on the shooters than Dixie did last night. They have to in order to win because the Jags really don’t have anyone that can’t drop in threes with ease. They put on an impressive show last night behind the arc. 

Whoever plays the best Defense tomorrow will get the trip to Rupp. Go Pandas!

39-31 Cooper.  4 minutes left in 3rd.  

44-37 Cooper after 3rd Q. 

Gibson and Noel leading their teams in scoring, predictably.  

50-45 Cooper.  5:04 left. 

Noel with 14 and Gibson with 16. 

53-45 Cooper.  

53-49 2:20 left.  

56-53 Cooper.  1:00 left

Maya Lawrie has fouled out. 

Noel and Thompson have 4 for Cooper.  

58-57 Cooper.  34 seconds left. 

60-57 Cooper

Final